"Team Garmin-Barracuda heads into the Giro with a very balanced team to meet all terrains," said Peiper. "We have Tyler Farrar for the sprints with the help of leadout man Robbie Hunter—plus strongmen Rasmussen, Bauer, Navardauskas, and Rosseler.

"We’ve also got a strong group of GC riders to support our race leader, Ryder Hesjedal: top-10 Tour de France finisher Christian Vande Velde, and an in-form Peter Stetina, who finished top 20 at the Giro last year.

"It should be an exciting race, and we’re looking forward to Saturday’s start."